# NTSB WPR10CA106: Cessna 140, N3160N, Chico, CA, January 9, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 9, 2010, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.716667, -121.866668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7167&lon=-121.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75253 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75253/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75253 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA106 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: weather planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 156 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern base: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 140, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2071602), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis About an hour prior to the flight the pilot checked the surface observation report for the nearest airport, which was about 5 miles to the northeast. He stated that it indicated an indefinite ceiling of 200 feet and visibility of 3 miles with fog and ground fog. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for the same airport was issued at the approximate time of the accident and reported, in part, winds from 130 degrees at 5 knots, visibility of 1 3/4 miles with mist, and skies with a 200-foot indefinite ceiling. The pilot stated that the visibility was good on the ground. As the airplane took off and climbed, he realized that the visibility went to zero. He turned around, attempting to get back to the airport, and he descended to get low enough under the fog to see the airport. There were trees on the east side of the airport, and he tried to stay above them while looking for the runway. He was on left downwind for runway 14 and turning base when the right wing hit a branch and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground. The right wing and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine. ## Factual narrative About an hour prior to the flight, the pilot checked the surface observation report for nearby Chico (KCIC) Municipal Airport, which was about 5 miles to the northeast. He stated that it indicated an indefinite ceiling of 200 feet and visibility of 3 miles with fog and ground fog. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for KCIC was issued at the approximate time of the accident. It stated: winds from 130 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 1 3/4 miles, mist; skies 200-foot indefinite ceiling; altimeter 30.25 inches of mercury. The pilot stated that the visibility was good on the ground. As the airplane took off and climbed, he realized that the visibility went to zero. He turned around and tried to get back to the airport. He descended to try and get low enough under the fog to see the airport. There were trees on the east side of the airport, and he tried to stay above them while looking for the runway. He was on left downwind for runway 14 and turning base. The right wing hit a branch, and the airplane went down. The right wing and empennage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3160N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3160N-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 13418, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 13418 - Airframe hours: 2139 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors C85 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Samuel D McGowan - Registered owner: Samuel D McGowan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 2009, 30 hours before - Departed: O23, Chico, CA - Destination: WLW, Willows, CA - Airport: O23, Ranchaero ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 201 in this make and model, 332 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft indefinitevv - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: KCIC, 4 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100109026179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100109026179A), Jan 9, 2010: Cessna 140, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. Accident involved the operation of a Cessna 140, N3160N, approximately 08:45 local on January 9, 2010, in the vicinity of the Ranchero Airport Chico, CA. The… ## Other investigations on N3160N (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB LAX91LA294](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA294), Jul 7, 1991: Cessna 140 (N3160N), Montague, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF AN EXHAUST VALVE IN THE ENGINE. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75253. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.